"I've got a fork and a two-seamer," said Arakaki. "For a pitch [like] a slider I just need something with a little movement [like my cutter]. And that's all I really need."

He then added, "My biggest worry is pain. Throwing the slider places a lot of strain on my shoulder and is a cause for the pain. The [cutter] I throw is kind of like a mini-slider. I can throw it with less strain and that means no pain. No worries. I'm not throwing the slider anymore."

The Hawks aren't in a rush to activate Arakaki at this point, but they could always give him a start at Ichi-gun and then immediately take him off the active roster and give him as much rest as he needs before his next start. He could especially be of great help during one of the team's 9-game stretches this season: 7/12-7/20; 8/30-9/7; and 9/13-9/21.

Nippon Ham Fighters

Masataka Nashidais so far satisfied with whatDai-Kang Yang (Yoh) brings to the table as the team's lead-off hitter (specifically potential and speed).

With Hirotoshi Kitagawa out, the Buffaloes will probably try using a combination ofAarom Baldiris and Seung-Yeop Lee to bat 5th in the line-up (where Kitagawa spent most of his time). If that doesn't work, they also might try Shogo Akada, Hisao Arakane, and Tomochika Tsuboi.

As for the team's DH, head coach Nobuhiro Takashiro told reporters that they probably can't afford to have a full-time DH. That means So Taguchi might see some time there while also sharing time in the outfield with Makoto Moriyama, Takahiro Okada, and Tsuboi.

Rakuten Eagles

Satoshi Nagaitook a batted ball off his left wrist in the 3rd inning of yesterday's game against the Seibu Lions. He ended up staying in the game, but not before taking some pain killers.